Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Endurance with Joy

A small picture of joy

Yesterday I read Colossians 1:11: "May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy..." There is just so much there that my soul was refreshed by.

First, the Lord convicted me that I've been seeking to have strength and endurance for this demanding season ON MY OWN. In other words, I've thought that I can muster up the strength to "make it through." I've actually been repeating to myself, "It won't be like this forever. Just keep going." That has been what I've gone to for some comfort when I feel like I can't keep my eyes open or like Owen is never going to sleep more than 10 minutes at a time for his nap. What a wavering stone to try and stand upon! In Colossians 1:11, I see that God wants me to be strengthened with His power, according to His glorious might. I have no strength or might of my own that can help me, and thinking that I do is simply pride.

Next, the Lord kindly made this phrase stick out to me: "endurance and patience with joy." I have been trying to endure (though in my own pitiful strength) and I have sought to do it with patience. But with joy? Um...I think I forgot about that one. The Lord wants me to endure (with the strength that He provides) and to be patient with joy! That verse is like a sweet slap on the face for me. Pleasing the Lord does not involve me merely "sucking it up" and trying to make it through. God will be glorified when I am relying on Him in joy. And if it's in God's Word as something that Paul is praying for God to accomplish, then God certainly is able to do it.

So, that's my prayer today. Lord, please strengthen me with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy."

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3 Responses to “Endurance with Joy”

Amen, sweet friend! Amen! I struggle much with going to Him for yet more and more strength, because I need it like every minute of the day! You'd think I'd exhaust Him or something...banish the thought! Oh, if I only knew more of just WHO HE IS, then I would never hesitate to ask for help.Thank you for telling us what you've learn so we can learn it too! love you!

I'm right there with you, trying to prop my eyelids open! :) Thank you for sharing this truth. I NEED it! And thank you for sharing the picture of Tali embodying joy! :) Lately when I ask Cannon if he wants to do blanket time, he dances this little jig with the most gleeful grin on his face. They are good little examples of joy, aren't they? (except, of course, when they don't get what they want...or maybe that's just my child! :)